Database Info

Mount, Power, GPS and Audio

Ok, I want to use the XDAII in the LandRover for mapping, it is noisy in the truck, I also want to play MP3 WMA files via the car stereo.
I have a Garmin eTrex but am willing to get something dedicated if the price is right.
I want a cradle for the XDAII that will hold it securly,
I want to power/charge the XDAII and GPS
I want to get the audio out of the bottom connector into the front of the stereo (3.5mm socket) for music play back (poss hands free phone too)
I still have various bits of hands free kit from when I used to fix 'carphones' in the early 90's. It would be nice if i can fit a mic in car for voice dial and calls too.
If the info on the tech page is correct on the bottom connector it would appear all is straight forward to do myself, However we all know for the cost of the parts I could by something that would do what i want and more. So what will do it. I am unsure on the XDA to XDAII connection compatability.
Current experiance of produced products is a duel universal mount from memory-map, the GPS fits fine but the XDAII just falls out, not good for £30
Cheers

Hi,
I wish the same thing that you. I would like to use the Xda2 with Land Rover Discovery for mapping together my Garmin 3+.
To do this maybe we have to make a serial and power cable or find someone who can make it.
I think the pinage for xda2 is slightly different than the xda1. In myxda.com they said: "Most accessories are not common to both except for the car charger".
If someone here can help us to know what the correct pinage for xda2 than we can make one.
Or we can buy a serial cable from O2 (I am oredering one now) and check what is the pinage used for it and mix with the car charger adapter.
what do you think about it?

Charger from xda1, serial cable, gps, usb cable (charging problem) all work with xda2, cradle also works but you need to shave a little off the inside or you will mark your xda2. I have an arkon cradle/speaker, 2 usb power jacks, speaker jack with 2.5 to 3.5 converter from xda1, this works with xda2 but the rf break through from the phone to the speaker in the cradle is atrocious, i wish I knew how to fix that problem because when you receive a call you have 10 seconds or more of rf noise before you get to hear or speak to the caller, other than that it is fine and comes with lots of different mounting options.

pinout
When I get chance Ill get my scope on the pins and work it out. Ive had my eTrex working, used the standard serial lead for the XDA2 and the eTrex, just made a null modem adapter to connect between em (info on memory map web site) Works well but you have to dissable beaming as i think they share the same comm port.
I was going to buy the eTrex connector to bare ends from Garmin but it doesn't carry power only data!!! typical. Have thought of getting one of the dedicated GPS units.
So the next best option is to have a cable from the XDA2 to a small box, this will have TX/RX audio, power and data. The box will have a PSU for the XDA and a cigar socket to for the eTrex standard lead. Id rather not chop up the lead as it cost silly money.

Re: pinout
TDIPower said:
So the next best option is to have a cable from the XDA2 to a small box, this will have TX/RX audio, power and data. The box will have a PSU for the XDA and a cigar socket to for the eTrex standard lead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...and your price for building these for every owner of an XDA2 (cos we're all going to want one! ) will be....?
Sounds like this would be accessory number 1 for anyone with an XDA2 and a car.
I've also got an eTrex, and I bought a serial/power Y-shaped cable last year for it, so they are available. It has a cigarette lighter plug to provide the power, and a serial output too for my laptop. Let me know if you need details - seems silly to buy a new GPS just because you can't get a combined data/power lead for it. It cost me £24 mail order, IIRC.

XDA connector
I need to find a UK supplier of the XDA connector, this would get the cost down. The easy way would be to buy the in car charger, strip it, mount the charger in the box, replace the cable with one that will do all the connections.
Ill try and play, get it set up and post somthing on here

Craddle for XDAII /MDAII
T-mobile germany sells one for €199, INCLUSIVE of sat nav software and wired mouse
Ready to mount

Re: pinout
Sorry. What is the meaning of PSU?
sublimatica said:
TDIPower said:
So the next best option is to have a cable from the XDA2 to a small box, this will have TX/RX audio, power and data. The box will have a PSU for the XDA and a cigar socket to for the eTrex standard lead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...and your price for building these for every owner of an XDA2 (cos we're all going to want one! ) will be....?
Sounds like this would be accessory number 1 for anyone with an XDA2 and a car.
I've also got an eTrex, and I bought a serial/power Y-shaped cable last year for it, so they are available. It has a cigarette lighter plug to provide the power, and a serial output too for my laptop. Let me know if you need details - seems silly to buy a new GPS just because you can't get a combined data/power lead for it. It cost me £24 mail order, IIRC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

PSU
PSU is short for Power Supply Unit. the bit that powers/charges the unit.
Sorry im not used to multi language conversation.

PSU
No problem!
I will learn a little bit every day

I am also currently looking at my options as like you TDIpower, I am trying to use the XDAII in a noisey landy.
I am interested in the parrot ck3000 which according to the blurb connects your phone etc via a bluetooth unit into your stereo unit. I have not looking into all the issues but I assume you would be able to use the phone/navigation and MP3 via this unit through the vehicle speakers to be able to hear whats going on? Mind you when I'm going a full tilt I can hardly hear the speakers either??
I know a couple of others on here have the parrot unit so mybe they could shed some light on this??
Cheers

sdio fm trasnmitor
i do not know if it is exist (sdio fm trasnmitor) but this will be a good solution for this case!

Hey,
Sorry to bring up old posts, but has anyone found a solution for Mount, Power, GPS (etrex) and Audio?
Dave

Have you seen this one ?
http://www.seidioonline.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BD-SMGF1XDAII
A friend of mine bought one for his iPaq and it's brilliant, just like a cellphone cradle, slide it in, and you are ready to go.

Hi
What you are asking for is available, apart from the sound in the form of the carcomm cradle http://www.totalpda.co.uk/product4738_0.aspx.
According to the connector wiring on this site you should be abale to get sound from the bottom connector, but what the connector page fails to tell you is you only get sound out o fthe bottom connector during in a call, so its no use for MP3 or Navigation sounds. Currently I am using the jack plug which is a real pain to plug in. See http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?p=50643#50643
Re the Parrot CK3000, I have just taken one out of my car as it did not work with the XDA2 if you have installed bluetooth tools. And without bluetooth tools the bluetooth GPS device would not work. Also you cant currently send sound over bluetooth apart from when in a voice call.
If you find a solution to sound from the bottom connector please dont forget to post.
Good luck
JustinP

@justinp: There appears to be A way to get all sound from the bottom connector.
The T-Mobile MDAII Carkit (QTek2020 carkit and the Yeti carkit are the same make) do just that!
Unfortunately I have this (cheaper) XDAII / iMate (Expansys-sold like) carkit wich only give in-call audio via the bottom connector.
There is someting with pin19 and pin9 (I read on the german www.ppc-welt.info forum).
pin19 must be grounded
pin 9 must NOT be connected (it is on some carkits thus messing up proper operation).
Now if someone can verify this!!
:?:

How to listen to music?

Hi there,
I used to use a SonyEricsson Bluetooth Stereo thingy to listen to music and while the quality was decent (no skipping) the battery of the earphones doesn't last long enough to make this a good solution if you are on a long travel. The other problem is that you can't use bluetooth earphones on a plane.
So, since the HTC standard earphones are awful, I bought this adapter
http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=142091
and I am now using my Sennheiser earphones.
As you can see from other customers' comments this adapter is really crap and as soon as you touch it the sound becomes muffled and you need to readjust it so that the contacts work again. Basically you can't listen to music with the phone in your pocket.
So the question is: what is your solution to listen to music? Is the HTC wired remote reliable in terms of having good contacts with the body of the phone? Is there another adapter that has more stable contacts.
This is becoming a major drawback for me and I am not sure I want my next phone to have all the hassles that the HTC proprietary connector implies.
Thanks in advance!
A.
PS: I know there is another thread about this but my point here is that I don't care about having or not having a microphone, or what Expansys is selling.... I want to be sure that someone is using something with good results!!

I have a very cheap adapter with a short cable, found it on ebay.
Works flawless, as it has a cornered plug.
http://cgi.ebay.at/Stereo-Headphone...ihZ002QQcategoryZ3728QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

esackbauer said:
I have a very cheap adapter with a short cable, found it on ebay.
Works flawless, as it has a cornered plug.
http://cgi.ebay.at/Stereo-Headphone...ihZ002QQcategoryZ3728QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. It is indeed quite cheap so I will give it a try. I really hope the L-shaped plug works better!
A.

http://www.bluetake.com/products/BT420EX.htm
got these
cant use them on a plane
makes me look like lobot
http://swg.stratics.com/content/lore/personas/images/lobot.jpg
but their sound is pretty good

esackbauer said:
I have a very cheap adapter with a short cable, found it on ebay.
Works flawless, as it has a cornered plug.
http://cgi.ebay.at/Stereo-Headphone...ihZ002QQcategoryZ3728QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have just received the adapter from Hong Kong. It works great! No comparison with the one sold on Expansys. This one fits well into the USB socket and there's no problem with the sound disappearing when moving the phone.
Thanks for the suggestion!

I have the I.Tech Radio Clip
http://www.itechdynamic.com/en/products_spec.asp?cid=2&pid=02050
Works like a charm, no issues, and battery life on it lasts 6 hours, enough for me.
Best thing about it is the ability to skip music and pause and play music without taking your device out of your pocket or holster, bad thing is everytime you do, your device goes on and battery can drain if it doesn't switch of soon or other buttons may be pressed when it is on in your pocket or holster.
Another good thing is also the radio, and I know that it is just a perk, but good enough, if your sick of your songs, listen to the radio.

nice gadget

How to play music from Diamond in the car?

Is there any way to do this through the power slot (cigarette lighter)? Thanks.

No lol, you will need some sort of connection to your headunit (either via bluetooth [ad2dp] or usb or a line in or something else along those lines)

I use a fm-transmitter in my car for this, there are several different types of transmitters ( bt, cable ).
Just search for fm-transmitters for mp3 players.

Here are some options http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=426599

Check this out:
http://www.e2mate.com/en/product_info.asp?id=871
You can buy it on Ebay

CrayZee said:
Check this out:
http://www.e2mate.com/en/product_info.asp?id=871
You can buy it on Ebay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The connector looks different, the one on the Diamond is flat on the left side and that one isn't?

rpimps said:
The connector looks different, the one on the Diamond is flat on the left side and that one isn't?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, suprise, suprise.
Actually, the mini-USB connector fits Diamond connector though they may seem to be different.

CrayZee said:
Well, suprise, suprise.
Actually, the mini-USB connector fits Diamond connector though they may seem to be different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it charge the diamond?

Thanks for the ideas, I actually just got the adapter from HTC and I'm gonna go to Fry's this weekend to get a Belkin FM transmitter

cosenzza said:
Does it charge the diamond?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the Mini-USB is exactly the same as HTC's variation, the only difference is the outside shape, the HTC one is cut down. Both fit perfectly.

for the car buy Parrot MK6000 , it's cheap an has a great stereo sound ...

i use the cassette adapter with a mini-usb to female 3.5mm stereo adapter... works great

mugglesquop said:
the Mini-USB is exactly the same as HTC's variation, the only difference is the outside shape, the HTC one is cut down. Both fit perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just received the FMtalk NT-039_DP (bought it from Ebay) and it DOES NOT charge the diamond when pluged in. The transmitter seems to work well. I have yet to try the phone with it.

I use one of those tape adapters connected to the HTC remote. Works really well as a hands free kit also. Bonus!!

first off beware of belkin just took my back fin horrible if any thing get a kensington hundred if not thousands of times better

I use the y cable which splits the mini usb on the bottom of the diamond to a 3.5mm plug and a mini usb. I then use a car charger into the mini usb to charge the phone while a 3.5mm to phono cable plugs into the back of my head unit, allowing for music, calls and sat nav to all go through the car speakers. Works well and the people say they can here me clearly when using it as a hands free kit.

i use the motorolla T505 acts as a speakerphone and fm transmitter

No aux input for car dock?

So my car doesn't have an aux input (that I can find anyway) but my pioneer deck (according to the manual) does but it looks like its on the back of the deck and I can't get to it without breaking it. How can I get my new Fascinate car dock to work? Please help me. I want to hear my podcasts through my speakers as well as phone calls.

What kind of car do you have.... I promise there is a way to get to the back with out breaking things...

2002 vw jetta
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App

You can't hear phone calls through the speakers with the car dock.

Good to know but is there any way to solve the problem with the aux in?

http://metraonline.com/files/products/INST95-9012.pdf
should help you with removal...

spyd3r05 said:
http://metraonline.com/files/products/INST95-9012.pdf
should help you with removal...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info but I know me and I would break it even with good instructions. I found a local audio shop that said they could hook up an rb10? or something to make it work for like 20 bucks. I'm gonna look on amazon for the part and then take it to him I guess.

the fascinator said:
Thanks for the info but I know me and I would break it even with good instructions. I found a local audio shop that said they could hook up an rb10? or something to make it work for like 20 bucks. I'm gonna look on amazon for the part and then take it to him I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you get one of those FM transmitters... plug if to the 3.5 and set station then set the same station on deck and enjoy ...they run for 10$ at Walmart ...cheap easy and good ...had one before I upgraded deck with from facing aux input
Sent from my GB MIUI Fascinate

JeezyMT3G said:
Why don't you get one of those FM transmitters... plug if to the 3.5 and set station then set the same station on deck and enjoy ...they run for 10$ at Walmart ...cheap easy and good ...had one before I upgraded deck with from facing aux input
Sent from my GB MIUI Fascinate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hadnt thought of that. I'm gonna check that out today. Thanks for the heads up!

I will say in my experience, hard wired sounds way way way better than a fm transmitter

So when I hook up the fm transmitter directly to the phone it works perfect. But when I hook the transmitter into the car dock it won't play through the speakers in my car? What am I doing wrong?

the fascinator said:
So when I hook up the fm transmitter directly to the phone it works perfect. But when I hook the transmitter into the car dock it won't play through the speakers in my car? What am I doing wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Idk about that one
..never used the car dock before
Sent from my GB MIUI Fascinate

spyd3r05 said:
I will say in my experience, hard wired sounds way way way better than a fm transmitter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is WAY better but when you're in the situation when you have no aux input or don't want to tear appart your car ...something is better then nothing
Sent from my GB MIUI Fascinate

This is true.. haha , anyways you need the app "galaxy dock sound redirector" should help with that problem ///Also I use a cassette tape adapter for my work car... hah!

FINALLY got it to work!!! Here's what I did in case anyone else has this problem:
Flash this: http://adrynalyne.us/files/patches/car_cradle_patch.zip
And then I flashed this just in case: http://adrynalyne.us/files/patches/car_cradle_patch.zip
Hope this helps some people.

Bluetooth calling options for car?

I've read a lot about options for getting bluetooth audio in the car, and even started a thread on it. But after thinking about it more, I realized that if I was going to have bluetooth audio in the car, I might as well be able to take calls in the car, as well. I tried the Belkin adapter, and it's great for receiving music and calls, but the sound from my end on calls is disappointing. I've called people from it and also have left myself voicemails and listened to them, and it just doesn't sound very good.
Any advice on bluetooth for the car that has good call audio? Been considering maybe this GoGroove one. Also, this Kinivo doesn't look too bad.

It's a bit more expensive than those options and doesn't work with every vehicle but I just put a grom audio adapter in my honda pilot. It pretends to be a cd changer, I got the box with aux in, usb and bluetooth capability then added on the Bluetooth module and auxillary in+charging cable and it ended up being like 200 shipped. At the cheapest end you could get the box that just does bluetooth and aux for 74.99 then add on the bluetooth for 49.99 (the box comes with bluetooth capability but the actual bluetooth module is an addon). You mount the microphone where you cant it and plug the box into the back of the radio. It works well for me and everyone can hear me just fine... well everyone except my dad but he's been going deaf for years now.

flu13 said:
I've read a lot about options for getting bluetooth audio in the car, and even started a thread on it. But after thinking about it more, I realized that if I was going to have bluetooth audio in the car, I might as well be able to take calls in the car, as well. I tried the Belkin adapter, and it's great for receiving music and calls, but the sound from my end on calls is disappointing. I've called people from it and also have left myself voicemails and listened to them, and it just doesn't sound very good.
Any advice on bluetooth for the car that has good call audio? Been considering maybe this GoGroove one. Also, this Kinivo doesn't look too bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gogroove is good

diljosh said:
Gogroove is good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah? How is call quality? Do you have to turn on or pair or connect it every time you get in the car?

BOOM:
http://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-BTC450...Input/dp/B009NLTW60/ref=pd_rhf_dp_s_cp_1_2JMS

wavrunrx said:
BOOM:
http://www.amazon.com/Kinivo-BTC450...Input/dp/B009NLTW60/ref=pd_rhf_dp_s_cp_1_2JMS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you elaborate? You have this one? It is one of the two I was considering. How is call quality?

i dont own it yet but am probabally going to order it on monday.
my car already has bluetooth built in, but i like the fact this adapter supports aptX, and has a built in USB port.
so anyway, i cant elaborate :/
**edit
what is the other one you were considering ?
can you share with us ?

wavrunrx said:
i dont own it yet but am probabally going to order it on monday.
my car already has bluetooth built in, but i like the fact this adapter supports aptX, and has a built in USB port.
so anyway, i cant elaborate :/
**edit
what is the other one you were considering ?
can you share with us ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can speak for it, I own it (bought it last week)
Syncs up quick, Unlike the similar Belkin (looks better, has issues) the buttons are useful, the big center area is a giant play/pause button, it also has a foward\back button on one side. Call quality is great, have had no complaints when using it, streams music well. Very simple setup.
The only thing I don't like is the cable is permanently attached and very thin/fragile. This isn't an issue if you properly mount/set it up (IE hide it behind plastic panels)
The charger doesn't put out much, I believe around 700mA, and it does take up my one and only 12v jack meaning I can't easily use a better phone charger without hardwiring something.

wavrunrx said:
**edit
what is the other one you were considering ?
can you share with us ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Links are in the OP.

Cast|el said:
The charger doesn't put out much, I believe around 700mA, and it does take up my one and only 12v jack meaning I can't easily use a better phone charger without hardwiring something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's always this.

Just bought a new car 2 months ago. It has no bluetooth and I was tired of my fm adapter so I was looking for a new solution. Considered everything from 600$ full CD player replacements that had bluetooth enabled to some of the more internal installation ones around 150. Ended up going with the Kinvio off Amazon just to try it and see how well it works.
Here is what makes it 10x better then the Belkin: Autoconnect. When you turn your car on it turns on and your phone automatically connects. With the Belkin apparently you have to hit the button every time you want to connect.
I've been told the audio quality is good and while people know im on speakerphone they can hear me clearly. The audio quality for me is great, I'm not an audiophile but it certainly seems clear to me. Would definitely recommend it for the price.

I put a bluefusion unit in my truck and loved it. It plugged in behind the radio, install took about thirty minutes. It still allowed use of my steering wheel controls. It tricked the radio into thinking the Bluetooth was xm..... retails for over $200 but are for sale all over the net for $40-60.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app

dzags said:
Just bought a new car 2 months ago. It has no bluetooth and I was tired of my fm adapter so I was looking for a new solution. Considered everything from 600$ full CD player replacements that had bluetooth enabled to some of the more internal installation ones around 150. Ended up going with the Kinvio off Amazon just to try it and see how well it works.
Here is what makes it 10x better then the Belkin: Autoconnect. When you turn your car on it turns on and your phone automatically connects. With the Belkin apparently you have to hit the button every time you want to connect.
I've been told the audio quality is good and while people know im on speakerphone they can hear me clearly. The audio quality for me is great, I'm not an audiophile but it certainly seems clear to me. Would definitely recommend it for the price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so am i correct in my thinking:
1) pair my phone with the Kinovo
2) Music (from google music) will go out TO my microsoft SYNC system VIA Line OUT FROM the Kinovo
3) Phone calls, incoming/outgoing, will go TO my microsoft SYNC system VIA bluetooth FROM the Kinovo ((instead of LINE out! so i can still take advantage of answering calls from my steering wheel and seeing names on the cars LCD etc ...)

Alright, I'm giving the Kinivo a try.